I’ve been learning another characteristic of the Father’s heart: He is the God who frees.

When the veil is torn, you start to see things a little more clearly. You realize that there really is more than meets the eye, that for far too long the emphasis has been on the external when God Himself is more concerned with our hearts.

Moving from head knowledge to heart knowledge, from religion to relationship, is freeing. Chains you never knew were there are loosed; burdens you were never meant to carry are removed.

In Exodus 6:6, we find the Israelites in bondage and this Father who frees. He told Moses, “Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.'” His heart was to bring them out from under the yoke – to bring them freedom from slavery as well as redemption.

Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.” God wants to transform us from the inside out with His truth spoken in love – smothered in grace. Unlike the world, He’s not trying to squeeze us into a one-size-fits-all mold. He formed you in your mother’s womb; you are clay in the Potter’s hands. He doesn’t want to restrict you; He created you to be free.

In Isaiah 49:8-9, God said, “In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you; I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land and to reassign its desolate inheritances, to say to the captives, ‘Come out,’ and to those in darkness, ‘Be free!'” God wants those in captivity to come out and those in darkness to be free.

God wants us free from religion and performance, to be unburdened and untangled. So often the standards imposed by people, whether in the world or even the church, end up being heavy and ill-fitting. But God has made another way, a better way. He wants us free to enter into relationship with Him, believing that we’re free to draw near, to come close.

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” – Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG)

He longs for us to spend time with Him, to learn what real rest looks like. To find freedom in His presence.

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” – 2 Corinthians 3:17

Psalm 142:7 says, “Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name.” God’s heart is to set us free from our prisons so that we can praise His name.

“He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free, the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous.” – Psalm 146:7-8

He also wants to set us free from infirmity, disability, and illness. (see Luke 13:10-13)

Galatians 5:13 says, “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” Likewise, 1 Peter 2:16 says “Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.” We’re called to live free! The goal of our freedom isn’t to focus on ourselves – it’s to serve others in love. And ultimately, to lead them to Jesus – to true freedom.

What qualities of the Father’s heart are you experiencing in this season?

This week’s song suggestions:

• Come Alive (Dry Bones) covered by Jon Wright
• Freedom is Coming by Bryan & Katie Torwalt